Transylvania deputies use Taser to end standoff

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:10 p.m.

A standoff with an armed man threatening to kill himself and responding officers Sunday night ended when deputies used a Taser to take him into custody, according to the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office.

Officers found the man in an outbuilding near his home in the See Off Community. He was armed with a small handgun and "indicated his intention of having officers shoot him," according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.

The man had called 911 threatening to kill himself and any law enforcement officers who responded. Deputies blocked U.S. 276 and all adjoining roads as a safety precaution, according to the release.

"As the call progressed, information surfaced that indicated the suspect may have taken a position in a large wooded area near his residence," the release says.

Officers cleared the area and found the suspect.

"Officers attempted to engage the suspect in a conversation, but were unsuccessful," according to the release. "The suspect emerged from the outbuilding with a small handgun. Although he did not point the handgun at officers, the suspect indicated his intention of having officers shoot him. After a short standoff, officers used the Taser to take the suspect into custody on an involuntary commitment order."

"The level-headed actions of our officers saved a man's life," Sheriff David Mahoney said. "The officers that responded used sound tactics and quickly contained this situation. Their attentiveness to training, commitment to excellence and good judgment allowed them to use a less than lethal response to take this man into custody without anyone getting hurt."

The name of the suspect was not released due to the involuntary commitment status.

<p>A standoff with an armed man threatening to kill himself and responding officers Sunday night ended when deputies used a Taser to take him into custody, according to the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office. </p><p>Officers found the man in an outbuilding near his home in the See Off Community. He was armed with a small handgun and "indicated his intention of having officers shoot him," according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office. </p><p>The man had called 911 threatening to kill himself and any law enforcement officers who responded. Deputies blocked U.S. 276 and all adjoining roads as a safety precaution, according to the release. </p><p>"As the call progressed, information surfaced that indicated the suspect may have taken a position in a large wooded area near his residence," the release says. </p><p>Officers cleared the area and found the suspect. </p><p>"Officers attempted to engage the suspect in a conversation, but were unsuccessful," according to the release. "The suspect emerged from the outbuilding with a small handgun. Although he did not point the handgun at officers, the suspect indicated his intention of having officers shoot him. After a short standoff, officers used the Taser to take the suspect into custody on an involuntary commitment order."</p><p>"The level-headed actions of our officers saved a man's life," Sheriff David Mahoney said. "The officers that responded used sound tactics and quickly contained this situation. Their attentiveness to training, commitment to excellence and good judgment allowed them to use a less than lethal response to take this man into custody without anyone getting hurt."</p><p>The name of the suspect was not released due to the involuntary commitment status.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>